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Veterans Honored During Ceremony

Retired Col. Bud Garrett shows a new flag in commemoration of the Vietnam conflict at the Combat Center Commissary during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam conflict Nov. 6, 2013.

Courtesy Photo

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The Combat Center’s commissary honored Vietnam veterans during a flag unveiling ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war Wednesday.

Col. Bud Garrett. (ret.), the event’s guest speaker, unveiled the new flag. This flag commemorated the war and the sacrifices made by those who served.

The Headquarters Defense Commissary Agency ensured that commissaries on military bases across the DoD participated in the anniversary event.

“The event is happening in commissaries worldwide to commemorate the Vietnam conflict for veterans who served during that time,” said Jeane Halterman, commissary officer.

The event’s guest speaker, Garrett, served in the Vietnam conflict and explained the hardships of fighting in Vietnam. He also thanked the commissary for their gracious gesture.

“The design of the flag came together fantastic,” said Garrett. “The symbolism in the flag design was very significant to the events and sacrifices of the veterans who served.”

The new flag will be hung in the commissary on base, showing respect to these veterans of the Vietnam conflict.

“It's nice to be able to walk down the street with a Marine Corps cap and hear people say ‘thank you for your service,'” Garrett said. “It feels like it’s finally coming full circle because people who served in Vietnam were really looked down upon during the time. The flag and events like this, 50 years later, is a great come around for the appreciation of those who sacrificed so much.”